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, of the backslide. All of Patented Nov, 27, 1945 UNTED STATES LATHE AND METHOD F MAKING THE SAME Stanley W. Sparks and Edmund J. Lomazzo,

Norwalk, Conn., assignors to The Sparks Machine Tool Corporation, poration of Connecticut Norwalk, Conn., a cor- Application January 19, 1942, Serial No. 427,334

19 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in machines (particularly lathes, such as the multitooled production type) and to methods of making the same.

Objects of the present invention are to provide a lathe: capable of extremely heavy cutting loads; capable of automatic and semiautomatic operation, to eliminate many manual moves now normally employed; with hydraulic mechanisms for conditioning and., operating various instrumentalities upon the lathe, to insure a smooth, positive interaction of these instrumentalities; the ways of which will withstand wear substantially; with a specially formed gib or gibs to easily and' advantageously compensate for any slight wear; with an exceptionally sturdy and eilicient tool backslide mechanism; with brake and clutch mechanism which cannot adversely be concurrently rendered operative; with special supports to improve the load which the machine may carry; with easily assembled and removed subunits; with a light yet very sturdy subbase; with' oil chambers formed as an integral part of a subbase; with means to prevent hydraulic and A further object of the present invention is the provision of a simple method for advantageously constructing .a subbase for a lathe. Features of the' present invention, resulting from the attainment of the above objects`,inc1udes 1 through 10 following:

(l) A novel lathe bed way and an adjustable gib structure including an angular arrangement of walls, on the front way of the bed and on the carriage slide, so that wear is distributed over longer and better arranged surfaces therebetween, and so that vibratory strains are absorbed thereand practically eliminated even when heavy multiple tool cuts are being made. 'I'his feature also provides a simple method and structure for adjusting the sliding movement between carriage Vand lathe bed way, prevents the carriage from lifting away from the way and holds the same down tightly. This feature eliminates the use oi' conventional clamps on the main -carriage and eliminates the necessity for a planed surface under the front way of the lathe bed.

(2) A backslide oi unusual design is provided, including a very sturdy standard secured at the back of the main bed and projecting upwardly to a point where it is associated with one or more bars extending longitudinally of the machine and where it is connected with a base for the carriage these interrelated strucare adapted to support the backslide, and

tures during' operation.

particularly the backslide carriage, entirely clear of the Ways of the machine, and also clear of the main carriage which is normally shiftable into various positions longitudinally of the ways and of the main bed. A particularly novel feature of this general structure is the provision of a very sturdy support for the backslide tools at a point very close to the work, yet in a manner that does not impede normal reciprocating movements of the carriage.

3) This novel hydraulic eiutchand brake uni:v

which may advantageously be assembled extraneously of the machine and which may be easily assembled to or removed from the machine, without the aid of special tools or without disturbing the main driving mechanism instrumentalities through the provision oi.' a bell-shaped housing bolted to the headstock and forming a part of the same, and providing a, main support for the brake; clutch and sheave mechanism.'

(4) A clutch and brake mechanism including the provision of novel interconnecting means whereby the clutch can be rendered operative and inoperative. A complemental feature includes a structure vwith the aforesaid control mechanism for rendering both the clutch and brake inoperative at the same time.

(5) A brake and clutch associated with hydraulic mechanism for dependent operation in a novel and advantageous manner.

(6) Mechanism for automatically conditioning certain main operating lnstrumentalities of the machine as certain primary controls are operated. Complemental to this the present invention provides mechanism for: automatically releasing the clutch as the tailstock locking means is operated;

'- automatically applying a brake as the tailstock locking means is more fully opened; rendering the brake inoperative and the clutch operative as the tailstock locking means is moved to the closed position.

(7) Mechanism for sequentially controlling hydraulic mechanisms to sequentially operate a main slide. a cross slide and a backslide, and thereby automatically controlling all tool movements.

(8) Mechanism for sequentially controlling hydraulic mechanisms to sequentially operate a main slide, a cross slide and a backslide, and also a clutch and a brake.

(9) A subbase oi' built-up welded construction wherein the weight ofthe same supports the main bed and gives a heavy foundation'under the bed within which vibratory strains are absorbed plan view of the lathe of the machine shown Fig. 3 is aheadstock end view of the lathe shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a tailstock view thereof.

Fig. 5 is a rear view of the machine.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line of. Fig. 8.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail taken on line 'l-1 of Fig. 6. i

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the headstock and taken on line 8-8 of main driving mechanism Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic A and control mechanism.

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the subbase.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the subbase taken on line Il-li of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a sectional vew of the subbase taken on line |2--I2 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a detail of the tailstock locking mechanism.

Fig. 13a is 9, detail sectional view taken on the line l3a,-|3a of Fig. 13. uxig. 14 is a fragmentary view of the backslide Fig. 15 is a detailed sectional view of the gib assembly.

Before describing the present improvements and mode of operation thereof in detail it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction and arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings, which are merely illustrative of the present preferred embodiments, since the invention is capable of other embodiments, and the phraseology employed is`for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

The drawings disclose one form of the invention, the now preferred form. In order to facilitate an understanding of the detailed description thereof a brief outline of one type of operation, shell-turning, is given.

Operation 'l'.'he lathe is equipped for automatic operation allow quick recovery through the hydra cally operated brake, and the foot-treadle valves mounted on the floor are voperated to release pressure on the expanding mandrel and traverses the tailstock spindle to of the turned shell.

For convenience, a description of the present A embodiment of the machine is given in connec- .preferably integral tion with shell-turning.

It should he understood that backslide tools may be omitted and various other modifications of the above-outlined operation may be made, Within the scope of this invention; further, that the machine is adapted to turn-cut automobile, airplane, tank, gun and engine parts, or many parts 'other than shells.

The lathe comprises a bed (or main frame) IG,

preferably in the form of a main base l1 suitably secured to a subbase I8'. The main base includes 2i and 22 respectively. The rear wall 20 at its top is provided with a main way 23 including inner, outer, top and bottom walls 24, 25, 26 and 21,'respectively. Somewhat similarly the front' wall I9 of the main base l1 is provided with a compensating way 28 -including a bottom wall 28, an inner wall 30, an outer angular wall 3|, a fiat top wall 32, an inner angular wall 33 and a top angular wall 34 (see Fig. 4). The front, rear and side walls I9, 20, 2l and 22 may be of any suitable thickness and may be extended to the floor, if it is desired to dispense with the subbase I8, as Will'be readily appreciated by any mechanic. However, for varside walls i9, 2U,

ious reasons as is later pointed out in detail, use

At the top, and left-hand side, of the bed (or main frame) l6,.as viewed in Flgs. 1 and 2, the present invention provides a. headstock 35 suitably secured to the main base (as by bolts and straps in the conventional manner). This headstock preferably includes a housing 36. of cast iron or the like, with integral chambers 31 and 38 and with bores 39 and l4i), respectively accommodating a main spindle 4I and a main' drive shaft 42 with an intermediate bore 43 for an intermediate shaft 44 therebetween. The spindle and drive shafts 4l, 42 and 44, respectively, are suitably mounted in the bores 39, 40. and 43, re-

spectively.

by the use of hydraulic feeds and hydraulically operated duplex brake and clutch for starting and stopping the spindle. The shell forging is inserted in the lathe, the tailstock live spindle is hydraulically traversed to locate the shell on the expanding mandrel, or other chucking instrumentality, at which time the spindle is automatioally started through the hydraulically operated clutch, and the carriage with the slide controlled tools thereon is moved hydraulically until the outside of the shell is completely turned. Simultaneously, the rear slide tools are hydraumoved into'l the and cut-of! the open end to length.` Upon completion of the turning operation, the pilot valve shell to face the base end is automatically rotatediby-'the trip dog, putting the feeds in rapid reverse to return the carriage and rear slide'to their respective starting posi- 'that it will carry and rotate The main spindle ,u is provideewitn a nance 45 againstpwhich a flange-plate 48 and a roller bearing- 41 are held by force and lock nuts 4l and 48', respectively. Thereafter, the spindle 4l may be passed inwardly of the bore 39 (from the right to the left, as viewed in Fig. 8) while the reduced end 48 of the main spindle 4I is passed through a,.g ear 50. dog tooth collar 5|, gear 5i, spacer sleeve B2 into they position shown in Fig. 8. A roller bearing 53 may then duced section/49 on main 'spindle 4l as by a nut 54, and the ,left-hand end of the bore 3l may be suitably sealed by a. plate l5 held in place by f bolts 5l' as shown inFigs. 3 and 8.

The mounting :lust described in detail provides a very sturdy support for heavy loads without vibration and without end-play. 'The sears Il and il may rotate on spindle sl, while dog tooth collar Il is secured against rotation thereon by suitable meanssuch as a spline. The dog tooth collar is provided with peripheral slot l1 accommodating studs 58 on control lever Il so'that the latter may reciprocate the dog tooth collar and front, rear, left side and right.

the main spindle .50

A Twin disc clutch. and isthereiore not shown teeth 99 and 6| thereon axially, from the neutral or inoperative position shown in Fig. 8, on the main spindle 4| into Vsuitable engagement with teeth 60 on the gear 59 or with teeth 6|" on the other gear 56.

Intermediate sha/t races thereof are suitably forced into thebore 43.

This intermediate shaft 44 between the shoulders 63 and 63 supports driver gears 65 and 66, to mesh with gears 50 and `56, respectively, on the main spindle 4| and also supports driven gears A61 and 68 in mesh with driver gears 69 and 10 on the main drive shaft 42 about to be described. All of the aforesaid gears on the intermediate shaft 44 are held against rotation thereon as by a suitable key and slot connection. Suitable caps 1i and 1| are forced into opposite ends of the bore 43 to further prevent axial shifting Vof the intermediate shaft, and particularly to prevent escape of lubricant.

The main drive shaft 42, and .particularly a clutch mechanism 12 and brake mechanism 13 associated therewith, provide novel and highly emcient features in the present invention and end of the main drive shaft42 is suitably supported in the bore 40 of the'housing 36 as by ball should therefore be particularly noted. The inner.

bearings 14 and 14' with inner races of the latterv suitably secured to reduced sections 15 and 16,

outer races thereof suitably forced into the bore 40. A suitable end cap 11 is secured at the inner respectively, -of the main drive shaft and with the l end of the bore 40 in order to prevent lubricant.

seepage therethrough while an annular plate 18 with a sealing ring 19 on the main drive shaft 42 is suitably secured to an inner wall` 16' of the housing 36 to prevent lubricant seepage into the chamber 38.

Now, of particular importance, after and while the main drive shaft is assembled in the bore 40 as just described, and while the-left-hand half .if the shaft 42 projects outwardly through the chamber 39, clutch mechanism 12, brake mechanism 13 and sheave 80 may be assembled as a control unit 8| to the housing 36 in order to comin detail. Other suitable and well-known clutch arrangements might be used between the' sheave 90 and the main drive shaft 42. The brake mechanism 13 is a similar Model M. T. "Twin disc" clutch. However, it should'be particularly.noted that this clutch. instead of being cooperable lwith a sheave, gear, pulley or other rotatable member as is customary, has a gripping section 90 thereof cooperable with a stationary annular brake plate 9| integral with a cap 92; or, in the form of a ring suitably secured thereto as by screws 9|'.

Intermediate the clutch and brake mechanisms .12 and 13, respectively,flinkage connections 93 and 93 are provided connected to expanding members 98 of the clutch mechanism 12 and to the gripping section 90 of the brake mechanism 13. These linkages, in turn, are operated by bevel surfaces 94 and 94' on a rotatable collar`95 which is shiftable into positions shown by dot-and-dash lines A and B in Fig. .8 by pins 96 on a yoke lever 91 suitably pivoted on the housing 36 (or on the end cap 92). After the control unit is added to the left-hand half of the main drive shaft 42 the cap 92 is secured to the headstock housing- 36 as by screws 92', and then gasket 99bal1 bearing 99, nut llland dust cap |9| are secured to the ca-p 92 to complete assembly and support of the mechanism 13 or other parts of the control unit,

it is merely necessary toremove the dust cap IDI, nut |90 and ball bearing 99 from the outermost end of themain drive shaft 42, and then remove the cap 492- from the housing 36 and move' the lever v91 into the brake-operating .position whereupon the clutch, sheave, brake and controlv -for the clutchnand brake may be removed en masse from lthe chamber 38 of the housing 36.

When the control lever 91 is moved in a clocky wise direction as viewed in Fig. l it will move the control ring 95 from the neutral position shown `in Fig. 8 or fromthe braking position B into the clutch-operatng position A to connect the main drive shaft 42 with the rotatable sheave 69 and thereby effect rotation of the main drive shaft42 with the sheave 80. Wh'en the control ring 95 is moved to the leftas viewed in Fig. 8 as by moving plete the headstock. 'This is highly advantageous f from an assembly, adjustment and repair standpoint.

This control unit 9| includes the sheave 99pref- Y erably including a plurality of angular slots in the periphery thereof to accommodate a suitable multi-v belt. This sheave is in turn suitably mounted on bearings 92 and 92 for fre'e rotation upon the main drive shaft 42 as may be seen best in Fig. 8. The mounting therefor, now preferred and shown, includes a pair oi' opposed annular rings 93 and 93 secured to a hub of the sheave 99 by screws 94 which with a nut 95 serve to rotatably mount the sheave upon the drive shaft yet prevent axial movement thereof (o ooperating with shoulders 96 and 96'). The sheave.

the control lever 91 in a counterclockwise direction, it reaches the position B whereupon the linkage 93' expands the gripping section 99 into engagement with the annular brake plate 9| to effectively and quickly stop rotation of the main. drive shaft 42 and associated mechanism driven thereby. The clutch and brake structure just described is such that the clutch mechanism 12 is automatically disconnected when the control ring 95 is moved to the brakingposition, and the brake mechanism 19 is automatically disconnected when the control ring 95 is moved into the clutch-operating position. To further insure proper operation of the clutch and of the brake an intermediate neutral position is provided wherein neither the clutch nor the brake will-be operated.-

Rotation of the main drive shaft 42 is utilized to effect rotation of themain spindle 4| through the gears previously described within the housing 36.A Divers speeds of' rotation of the main spindle maybeinthe form of-afseparateringsecured.`

thereto as by screws 91. The clutch base member I9issuitablysecuredtotheshafi'.andaudisl the well-known and extensively'used HodellLT. 74 wise direction. causes a pin and slot connection may be eifected even though the main drive shaft is uniformly rotated.. For example, and as may be seen bestinFlgs, 1, 6.7 and8,movementofehift lever |92 androd |99 securedl thereto in a. clock- `main drive shaft. Movement of the same shift lever |82 (and its associated parts just described) in a counterclockwise direction causes the dog tooth clutch to be moved, either from engagement with the large driver gear or from the neutral position shown in Fig. 8, into driving engagement with the smaller driver gear 69.

Somewhat similarly, clockwise movement of lever III and sleeve |95 (Figs. i, 6, 7 and 8) effects a. clockwise arcuate movement of a yoke HU which in turn moves a dog tooth clutch on the` main 'spindle 4| in a right-hand direction. as viewed in Fig. 8 from the neutral position shown therein into engag t with the larger driven gear 55 on the main spindle 4|. Conversely when the same lever |08 and sleeve |09 are arcuately moved in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. l the dog tooth clutch is moved from engagement with the larger driven gear 54 or from the neutral position shown in Fig. 8 into operative and driving engagement with the smaller driven gear 5B on the main spindle 4|. Pour diierent speeds of the main spindle may thus be eiected without altering the speed of the main drive shaft; to wit:

I. Main drive spindle 4|, todog tooth clutch Hi, to smaller driven gear 86, to driver gear 68 on intermediate shaft 44, through intermediate shaft 44, to smaller driven gear E8 on intermediete shaft 44, through meshing large driver gear i3 on main drive shaft 42, thence to the dog tooth clutch |01 on the main drive shaft 42, to eil'ect one speed of rotation of the main spindle.

II. Primarily shifting (from the I line-up) dog tooth clutch from engagement with small driven gear 56 on the main spindle 4| to the large driven gear 50 on the main spindle to eect a slower speed of the main spindle.

III; A third speed is eil'ected by manipulating the levers |02, rodl3, yoke |06 and associated dog tooth clutch |01 (the latter into engagement with gear B9) so that a driving connection extends between main drive shaft 42, clutch ||l'|,`

driver gear 69 on main drive shaft 44, driven gear Bl, intermediate shaft 44, small driver gear 85 on intermediate shaft 44, large driven gear 50 on main spindle 4|, dog tooth clutch |01 and main shifting the lever |08 to move the ,dog toothV clutch I|| from engagement with the large driven gear 50 into engagement with the small driven gear 56 on the main spindle.

Drive The cap 32 alonelmay be removed from the headstock housing 33 (or, together with the brake mechanism 13 and clutch mechanism 12 less the sheave Il) to facilitate placing a suitable belt ||2 atthetopofthemachine (ortotbemain driveshaft orthelike). 1

Tailaick the 1n- .ahleagainsttbeundersldeofsaidwaysand 28 as by tightening nuts Il! of bolts |23 which extend from the underside ofsaid plates H3 upwardly through the tailstock and above the top thereof. The tailstock housing is in turn provided with a large bore |2| adapted to recipro. @ably receive a large feather |22. At its inner end the feather may be provided with a conventional live center |23 or any other suitable device, whereas at its outer end the feather, in accordance with the present invention, is oonnectedtoarodl24andapiston|Nofahydraulic cylinder |2i for two-way redprocadon. As shown in Fig. 13; the tailstock feather |2315 clamped by arcuately moving an eccentric rod |21 within a bore |23 of a friction sleeve |39 mounted in a large cavity (29a in the tailstock as by swinging a tailstock clamping lever |31. Asthisleverismovedinacloclcwise directinnss viewed in Fig. 2, it causes the eccentric rod |31 to move a concave wall |3| on the friction sleeve against the side of the feather |22 in sturdily 'grip or lock the feather relative to the bore m 0f thetiistock housing H5. Release thereofis effected by primarily moving the tailstock clamping member |33 in a reverse or counterclockwise direction.

Cantone A carriage |32 of the present invention includes a substantially T-shaped member (inverted with respect to a person facing the front ot the machine) with a transverse section |33 thereof spanning the main base |'l between the compensating way 28 and the main way 23. The same transverse section has a substantially C- shaped end |34 hooking'onto the main way 23; whereas, a longitudinal section |35 of the carrlage |32 in the main rests upon the compensating way'28, as may be seen best in Fig. 4.' For this purpose the carriage is provided with a mainway channel |36 defined by walls |31, |38 and |39, and the longitudinal section |35 thereof is provided with a compensating channel |43 including walls |4|, |42, |43 and |44. The abrupt angular wall |42 is adapted to resist direct outward pressure resulting from the turn-cutting tools engaging work in the machine: whereas. walls |4| and |43 are substantially wide and substantially fiat to resist downward pressure resulting from turn-cutting work.

over the sheave 3l forconnectlon to the motor 75 the gib |43 toward the top and inner part o! the way 28 to a split C-shaped block |49 clamped to the compensating way as by bolts |50. Nuts |5| |13 and the plate |18 in such a manner as to concurrently tighten the daring walls of the platel |18 against the converging walls of the slot |11 at the outer end of the rods |48 limit movement of the carriage toward the headstock 35l whereas nuts |52 at the inner side'- of the rods |48 limit movement of the carriage toward the tailstock Cross slide A cross slide |53 is provided directly upon the main carriage |32 and includes a base member |54 having a dovetail connection |55 therebe, tween as may be seen best in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 (cross slide stop). Movement of the cross slide |53 into the most advanced position desired and into the most retracted position desired is eiected or governed by a rod |56 having a suitable screw thread or like connection to the cross slide |53 and to a two-way piston of a conventional twoway hydraulic cylinder |58. The latter is supported upon the carriage |32 as by a supporting plate |59 suitably bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the carriage |32 (Figs. 1 and 2).

To stop the cross slide carriage |53 in its movement inwardly and outwardly relative to the headstock 35 and tailstock H4, the present invention provides a pair of rods |60 suitablyA secured to the cross slide |53, as by being screwed directly therein, with nuts |6| at the outer edge thereof adapted to engage oone face of plate |59, and nuts |62 at the inner section of the rods |60 adapted to engage the opposite face of the plate |59.

One or more tool holders |83 may be mounted' upon the cross slide |53 as by tightening bolts |64 extending to T blocks |65 in T slots 65'.

Backszide un'it.

With certain operations or with certain types of work it is desirable to eect cuts beyond those obtainable with the main carriage and cross slide tools. To this end, the present invention "provides a very sturdy backslide unit |61 including a main base |68 supporting a slide |69 for movement from the back of the machine toward the center of the lathe. To make this movement possible the main base and slide are provided with an interconnecting dovetail connection |10 transversely of the machine, as may be seen best in Figs. 2, 4 and 5. supplementing the dovetail connection, too. the present invention provides a pair of tongue and groove connections 1| and |12, one at each side of the main base and slide (Figs. 2 and 5)-.

Now it should be particularly noted that said .Y

backslide main base |68 and tool slide |69 are sturdily supported entirely clear of the top of the ways of the machine. To this end the main base |1 has a vertical standard |13,'preferably integral therewith which may be secured to the rear wall 20 of the main base I1 as by bolts |14; or

. may be secured to the main base in divers positions longitudinally thereof as by the provision of a suitable dovetail connection |15 between the vertical standard |13 and the rear wall 20 of the main base |1, as shown in Fig. 14. This adjustable dovetail connection |15 in its present preferred form includes a plate |16 of fantail cross section slidable within a corresponding slot |11 extending longitudinally of the rear wall 20 Vwith bolts |14 extending between the vertical standard Also, of particular importance, to further sup- I port the backslide unit and to thereby-make possible very heavy cuts and cuts without chattering, the present invention provides supplemental supports for the backslide unit including at least one and preferably two bars and |8| suitably secured to the headstock 35, as by being forced therein (see Fig. 2), and slidably extending through suitable split bores |82 and |83 in the main base |68 for the backslide unit |61 and split bores |84 and |85 in the tailstock ||4, said split bores |82 and |83 being tightened upon the rods |B0` and I8! by bolts |86 so that the bars |80 and |8| rigidly support the backslide unit relative to the headstock 35 and tailstock ||4. Similarly, split bores |84 and |85 of the tailstock ||4 may be clamped to the bars |80 and |8| as by tightening bolts |86' (see Figs. 4 and 5),

Subbase can have the walls |9, 20, 2| and 22 extending directly to the oor,v as is'customary in many ,I

lathes heretofore proposed. However, the present invention provides a novel subbase I8 having several advantageous features. This subbase includes a substantially rectangular vmain frame with front, rear and end walls |88, |89, |90 and |9| upon a bottom plate |92 defining a large chamber which in turn is divided into a hydraulic fluid chamber |93 by an intermediate wall |94 and into a coolant chamber |95 defined by a second intermediate wall |96. Preferably, and as shown, these intermediate walls are spaced from each other to provide a dead chamber |91 so that if uid leaks from'either chamber |93 or |95 it cannot adversely enter or mix with uid in the other of said chambers. Preferably, the subbase is made by forming individual plates or strips-into the desired configuration of the bottom plate |92, front, rear and side walls |88, |89, |90 and ISI, plus forming intermediate walls |94. and |86 of the proper configuration; and, thereafter welding all 0f the foregoing together into the shape shown.

- The main base I1 may be set directly upon the subbase I8 just described as by screws, or suitably secured thereto. However, in order to make the subbase straight and to prevent an adverse accumulation-of chips in any of' the chambers |93, |95 or |91, the present invention provides a top plate |98 preferably large enough to span all a slight extent beyond the walls- |88, |89, |98 or |9|. 'Ihis top platev is preferably formed in the A same manner as the other plates of the subbase and is preferably welded to the side walls and bottom plates after aycomplete assembly and welding of the latter. If preferred, the subbase may be in the form of a. one-piece casting with the chambers formed by suitame caring. vThe top plate is preferably provided with one or morev openings 200 which may have grills therein to allow return of coolant to the chamber |95, and

,in a cylinder dependent use is made yet exclude chips therefrom. It may also be provided with an integral upstanding iiange 2|0| entirely about the periphery thereof to form, with the top plate |98. a chamber 202 for retaining chips. However, for economy and as disclosed here, a thin sheet metal strip 20| is secured thereto as by welding. The main base |1 may be Hydraulic operating units -To insure a smooth, powerful and coordinate movement of the various instrumentalities in the present lathe, the invention provides a plurality of hydraulic units, to wit: The tailstock feather |22 is movedto and from work by a hydraulic piston |25 and cylinder |26 connected to the feather |22 as by a rod 124. When uid is admitted to the cylinder as through'a port 203 the feather |22 and the live center (or the like) are projected toward the headstock 35 to grip any work supported by the headstock or to assist the latter in holding work, whereas when fluid is admitted to the cylinder |26 through port 204 it .forces the piston |26 in an opposite direction to move the feather and center away from the headstock, for example to unload the machine.

A conventional expanding chuck 205 on the main spindle 4| is also operated by a piston 206 201 at the left-hand side of the machine, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, said piston projecting a rod 208 in one direction in order to conventionally operate a chuck, collet or the like, at the other end of the main spindle, to render the same operative;- said piston in turn pulling or operating the rod 20B in another directionA to render the chuck, collet or the like inoperative in the usual way.

A two-way piston and cylinder 209 at the rear and under side of the headstock 35 (see Fig. 1) is adapted to oscillate a control lever 91 in two directions in order to operate the clutch and/or brake.

Longitudinalmovement of the main carriage |32 along the main and compensating ways 23 and 28 is' accomplished by a two-way piston and grammaticauy illustrated in Fig. 9 and wiu now be described in detail.

Description of circuit diagram-Fig. 9

The function of a novel circuit4 2 5, of the present invention, is to provide an arrangement of vmeans for hydraulic actuation of the lathe of the present invention, for'example in turning shells, according to a prescribed cycle. The cycle includes a loading phase during which the operator loads the shell into the lathe and manipulates controls for its proper location and support, a clamping phase in which the lathe tailstock IM is manually clamped in position and the' clutch 12 is automatically engaged, a starting phase in which an automatic sequence of events is manually initiated, a positioning phase during which the turning tools are automatically and predeterminedly moved into working position, a working phase in which the tool carriage |32 is fed longitudinally while the turning tools remove stock from the shell or the like, a second working phase wherein a tool on the cross slide |53 is fed inwardly for facing the end of the shell, a reversal phase in which the cross slide |53 is returned to its initial position at a rapid traverse rate, a second reversal phase wherein the turning tools are brought back from the work at a rapid traverse rate (before, with or after return traverse, as preferred), a third. reversal phase for .f returning the tool carriage |32, an unclamping and declutching phase, and an unloading phase. A conventional cam plate may be used with the cross slide |53 for contour turning of work. The particular sequence and also the start and top of the operation of each phase may be altered as will be appreciated, without departing from the scope of the invention,

During the machining phases of the cycle, the shell, or the like, may be held in position and driven by the hydraulically actuated, internal,

expanding three-,jaw Cushman chuck 205 associated with driving and rotating elements of the lathe headstock 35, and the nose end of the shell is axially located and supported by a live center |23 in the tailstock H4. When a shell is loaded into the lathe, the open end of the shell is posicylinder-2H secured to the front of the machineras may be seen best in Fig. 1, said standard twoway piston and cylinder having a direct connection with the carriage |32 as by a rod2l2. Movement of the main cross slide |53toward and vstandard two-way piston and cylinder unit4 2M,

is secured to the rear of the back slide unit |31 and is provided with a suitable rod connection 2 5 directly to the slide |53 of the back slide unit |61 as may be seen best in Figs. 2 and 4.

Although the aforesaid pistons and cylinders may be standard units, use is made'thereof in a novel manner with certain ofthe instrumentalities, and particularly novel combination or intercuit and controls. Relationship of'these various hydraulic instrumentalities with other parts of the machine and the circuit therefor are dialthereof, with a novel cirtioned over the jaws of the chuck 205 and the live center |23 of the tailstock Ill is hydraulically brought into contact with the nose of the shell.

the chuck 205 is hydraulically ex- Subsequently, panded so that the chuck Jaws make driving contact withpthe bore of the shell. The tailstock A| I4 is, then manually clamped and engagement of the spindle' clutch I2 is eilected simultaneously so that rotation of 'the shell and sequentiall operation ofthe tools and slides is begun in response to the clamping action. 1

The hydraulic cylinders,` check valves, four-way units, now regulators, etc., are conventional and are, therefore, not shown in detail. However, the particular combination thereof disclosed by the present invention is novel and highly advantageous. Use thereof insures the proper completion ci all the required operations on the work, increases output and greatly reduces the number of moves and-worknormally imposed uponthe operator.

To accomplish the loading operation, the operator places-the shell with its open end overl the jaws of the Cushman chuck 205 or other holding device and depresses the right side oi the-foot treadle 2|`|ofv valve 2|l to move the valve stem t itsextreme "out position. At this time, iiid from a pump 2li is available through line 23| and pressure-reducing valve 220 with an input pressure equal to that of the setting of the relief valve 22|. The shifting of the conventional open end of the shell is forced against shoulders on the Cushman chuck 205 or other work-positioning stop. The arrest of this movement causes a slight rise of. pressure on the fluid passing through sequence and check valve 223, and the spool of this valve is caused-to shift so that fluid from line 222 flows into line 225, whence it passes through pressure-reducing valve 226 into line 221 and moves the piston 206 for the Cushman chuck -5 to the right. The rightward movement of this piston expands the jaws of the chuck `230 into line 233 to the head end of the spindle clutch cylinder 209'. As a result, the spindle clutch piston 209 is caused to move to the left and engage the spindle clutch 31' .so that drive is transmitted to the Cushman chuck 205 and rotation of the shell is begun. Simultaneously with full clutch engagement, pressure in line tank |33. The rate offlow is controlled, of course, independent ot inlet and outlet pressure to conform with a preselected dial setting on control valve 241.

The quantity of 245 is more than suillcient to accommodate the rate of crossl slide piston |51 travel, so a portion of the fluid passes into the rod end of the carriage cylinder 2li' an'd displaces the piston 2|| to the left and the tool carriage |32 is there` by provided with longitudinal feed along the shell.

'The feed rate is governed by the rate of exhaust of oil from the head end of the carriage cylinder 2| I. The exhaust oil passesthrough line 25|,

feed control regulator 252, line 253, free flow check valve 254, lines 255 and 256 entering a port of valve 24| and lines 243 and 250 into the tank |93. As the carriage |32 is fed to the left the tools begin work on the shell, their pos|, tion of contact with the shell being governed by the maintenance of. pressure against the head end of the cross slide piston' |51 until the tools thereon are limited in their forward movement by the stops 6|.. (The stopv and cross slide |53 may be so arranged conventionally that one tool in the gang follows a contour equivalent to that of the boat-tail on the shell nose while the balance of the tools follow the contour. of the body oi the shell.)

At a preselected point in the leftward movement of the carriage |32, detent 251 contacts the lever 251' of ,pilot valve 258 and rotates the valve spool so that pilot pressure is redirected andthe fiow is through a conventional port into line 259. Thus, a shift of the spool of four-way 260 is effected. vThis results in fluid fromline 26| passing through ports of fourhwa'y 260, and line 252 into the head end of the back slide cylinder 2|4'. The piston 2|4 of the rear cross slide cylinder 40 2| 4' is thus caused to move inwardly and bring 233`rises'and, acting thro'ugh line 234, causes the spool of lvalve 235 to be so displaced that fluid for actuation of the feed cylinders is made available at line 236.

To begin the automatic phases of the cycle, the operator positions the handle of pilot valve 231 to the start position so as to direct pilot pressure (which is available through line 238) into line 233. Pressure supplied to lin'e 239 is eiIective upon the pilot control end of valve=2|3 contacts the lever of pilot valve 231 and rotates the handle to the position shown. Under these l, conditions, the pilot va1ve,231 is rotated 'so that pressure from line 236 is redirected so as to flow through line 20 in such a manner that the valveA spool is restrained from movement.l It is thus impossible for the operator to actuate -the foot:

treadle 2|1 of lvalve 2|3 to cause an-opening of the chuck 205 and a displacement of the live center |23,v and the shell is retained in machining position throughout the work phases of the cycle. j

f Fluid from line 23S acts on the left end of valve 24| fof shifting the Spoolso that fluid from line l236 (then at sufficiently high pressure to force the opening of sequence valve 242) and line 243 ows through ports of valve 24| -into lines'244and246. g I

The initial eifect of fluid lilow'in linev244 is to' iiow into the head end of the lcross slide cylindex' |53 through line 245, whichdisplaces the piston |51 inwardly and causes the tools'v to be through the port leading to line 263. The readfl justment causes the spool of valve 24| to be shifted so that pressure from lin'e 243 is redirected for ow through ports into lines 256 and 255. Fluid from line 255 flows through sequence valve 269, line 210, free ow check'21l and line 246 into-the rod end of the cross slide cylinder |53 whence the tools -`are moved 'rapidly' outwardly from the work and fluid from the head end of the cross slide cylinder |58 is exhausted Ainto lines 245 and 244,"through ports of valve 24|, into lines 249 and 250 to tank |93. During this interval, the carriage |32 stops momentarily until such time as the crossslide piston |51 reaches'thevend of the stroke and pressure in line '255 Arises sufficiently to fshiftthe spool of seq'uence valve 263 for flow from! line 255 into rate at which Athe tools aremoved inwardly is contrfilledA by the regulation of the now of 'ex'- haust oil'from'the rod end of the cylinder |53, the passage being through yline 246,l flow con- When this sequen'c'reis taking place, fluid from line 212 ows through free i'lowjcheckvalve 214 and line 25| to the head end of the' carriage cyl-,-l inder 2| for displacing thecarriage piston'gZ'll trol valve 241, and lines- 243 andl 250 to the 75 to the right. Fluid from the rod 'endet-the.

fluid entering lines 244f--andl carriage Ycylinder 2| is then exhausted into line 244 and through valve 24| into lines 249 and 258 for return to tank |83.

Detent 218 is thus caused to contact the lever 215' of pilot valve 258 and rotate its spool so that the port leading to line 258 is connected to the tank port and pressure is available through ports to line 211. Pressure from line 211 shifts the spool of four-way 288 so that pressure is redirected from line 26| through the ports of four-way 288 into line 218, whence it iiows through free iiow check valve 21S into lines 288 and 263 and the rod end of the (rear) cross slide cylinder 2|4' for outward displacement of the pis- .ton 2|4 and attendant ,removal of the rear tools from the work at rapid traverse rate. Fluid from the head end of the cross slide cylinder 2|4' is returned to tank |83 through line 252, the port of four-way 268 and lines 28S and 258.

Subsequently, during the return travel of the carriage |32 cam 28| depresses the-plunger of unloading valve 282 so that the pump .output is returned to tank |83 through line 282" and 250. The pump 2|8 is thus unloaded to the pressure setting of sequence valve 268 and the carriage return movement is stopped.

-The operator next manipulates 'the tailstock clamp lever |38 for unclamping the tailstock i I4.

Simultaneously, the cam 228 is removed from the plunger of pilot valve 238 and the plunger is spring-returned to its original position. Fluid from line v232 is thus directed through a conventional port andline 283 to the rod end oithe spindle clutch cylinder 289' and the'piston 289 is displaced to the right so that the clutch 81' is disengaged. 'I'he fluid from the head end of the spindle clutch cylinder 289' is exhausted into line 233 and through ports of valve 238 into line 285 whence it passes to tank |83 through lines 205 and 258.

'I'he operator then depresses the left foot pedal on valve 2 I8 to shift the valve spool so that pressure is directed through the port leading into named means; and means operatively connecting said locking means and said control means for operating the clutch-'actuating means wherebythe clutch is operated in response to actuation oi' said'locklng means.

l2. In a lathe, the combination of a bed,

headstock having a spindle and driving mechanism therefor; a brake in said driving mechanism for controlling the operation of the headstock spindle; a tailstock quill for engaging work supported by the headstock; locking means for securing said tailstock quill in operative position with respect to the work; means for actuating said brake; control means for said last-named means; and means operatively connecting said locking means and said control means for operating the Abrake-actuating means whereby the brake is operated in response to actuation of said locking means.

3. In a lathe, the combination of a bed; a headstock having a spindle and driving mechanism therefor; a clutch an'd brake in said driving mechanism for controlling the operation of the headstock spindle; a tailstock quillfor engaging work supported by the headstock; locking means for seeming said tailstock quill in operative position with respect to the work; common means for actuating said clutch and brake; control means for said last-named means: and means operatively connecting said locking means and said control means for operating the yclutch and brake-actuating means whereby the clutch and brake are operated in response to actuation oi.' said locking means.

4. In a lathe, the combination of a bed; a headstock having a spindle provided with work-holding mean; a driving mechanism for said spindle; a clutch and brake in'said driving mechanism for controlling the operation oi' the headstock spinlines 284, 235 and 288.` Fluid from line 285 enters the tailstock cylinder |28 at the rod end and causes the piston |25 -to move to the right, thereby withdrawing the tailstock live center |23 from `the nose of the shell. Fluid 'flowing in line 286 like those providedvtor the front cross slide uni g as will be readily appreciated.

For the sake of clarity all valve vdrain lines have been omitted. it being understood that these lines all lead to the tank |33 in the conventional manner. 4

die:v a tailstock quill for engaging work supported by the work holder; -locking means for said tailstock quill; hydraulic means for sequentially releasing said brake and closing said clutch when moved in one direction and for sequentially opening said clutch and then rendering the brake operative when moving in the other direction; and means operated in response to actuation of the quill locking means for controlling movement o! said hydraulic means according to the direction oi' actuation of said locking means-forrendering said clutch and brake operative to control the actuation of the headstock spindle.

5. In a multitooled'production lathe, .the combination of a bed; a headstock: a tailstock; a movable tailstock quill; locking means for' said quill: a work holder having work engaging and dlsengaging conditions; tool slides; a main carrinse: a hydraulic system for operating said work holder, tailstock quill. tooly slides and main carriage; controlmeans tor said hydraulic system:

and foot treadle and tailstock quill locking lever Variations and modifications may be made. within the scope oi' this invention and portions v oi the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described the invention .what is claimed as new is:

l. In a lathe, theA combination o! a bed:- a 'headstock having a spindle and driving mechanism therefor;` a clutch in said driving mechanism for controlling the operation of the head- .stock-spindle; a tailstock quill for engaging worksupported by the headstock; locking means for 'securing said tailstock quill in operative posimeans respectively connected to said control means tor completely controlling said hydraulic systemLsaid foot-treadle means bems Operable to control movement of'said quill. and said locking lever means being operable to control a conditioning of said hydraulic system for operating said slides and main carriage, said control means including a iluid pressure controlledmember for controlling automatic operation oi' said work homer.

.8. In a multitooled production lathe, the com- K bination or a bed; `a headstock: a tailstock: a

tion withrespecttotheworhmeans for actuquillaworkholderhlvingworkenllmlnd ating saidclutch: control means for said isstmovable tailstock quill; locking means for said having an operating member movable into lockdiscngaging conditions: tool slides: a main carriagc; a backslide; a hydraulic system for opersaid control means including a iluid pressure controlled member for controlling automatic operation of said work holder. l

'1. In a multitooled production lathe, the combination of a bed; ways on said bed; a headstock:'

a tailstock; a back slide unit; means slidably supporting said backslide unit on the bed for rectilinear movement both longitudinally and transversely relative to the bed entirely free from said ways thereof: and at least one stationary supporting bar directly associated with said headstocktai1stock and backslide unit and forming an additional support for said backslide unit.

8. In a multitooled production lathe, the combination of a bed; a headstock; a tailstock; a; backslide unit: means mounted on the bed slidably supporting said backslide for rectilinear movement both longitudinally and transversely, relative to the bed; at least one ilxed supporting' bar associated with said headstock, tailstock and backslide unit and vforming an additional supporting means for the backslide, unit; and means for locking said backslide unit and said tailstock to said supporting bar.

9. In a multitooled production lathe, the combination of a bed; a headstock: a tailstock; a clutch: a brake; .a main spindle; la quill; a work holder; driving mechanism for said main spindle; 40

a tool slide; a main carriage: a backslide unit; hydraulic means for operating said quill, clutch, brake, work holder, main carriage, tool slide and back slide unit: foot-operated control means in ing and unlocking positions; power means including a hydraulically actuated member for disengaging and engaging said brake; control means for the power means;' and means responsive to the operation of the operating member f or conditioning said control means to cause the power means to disengage and engage the brake upon movement of the operating member into and out of said locking positions.

12. 1n e lathe havingl driving' mechanism. a'

clutch and a' brake in said driving mechanism. a tallstock quill,` and locking means for said tailstock quill, saidlocklng means having an operating member movable into locking and unlocking positions, the combination of power means including a hydraulically actuated member for sequentially engaging said clutch and disengagins said brake and for sequentially disengaging said clutch and engaging said brake; control means for said power means; and means operativell1 connecting said control means and said locking means. including a movable member in said.con trol means and a camlike portion movable with said operating member and engageable with said movable member, for conditioning said control means to cause the power'means to sequentially engage said clutch and disengagesaid brake when the operating member is moved to said locking position and to sequentially disengage said clutch and engage said brake when the operating memberis moved away from said locking position toward said unlocking position.

13. In a lathe having driving mechanism, a clutch in the driving mechanism; a tailstock quill, locking means for said tailsto'ck quill, said locking means having an operating member movable into locking and unlocking positions, and movable tool-carrying means, the combination oi' a ilrst hydraulically actuated means for moving said tool-carrying means; a second hydraulically actuated means for engaging and disengas'lng said clutch; a hydraulic system for supplying fluid under pressure to said hydraulic-allyl actuated said hydraulic means for sequentially condition- 45 means; control means for said second hydrauliing said quill and said work holder; hand-operated means adapted to lock and unlock the quill; and control .means in said mdraulic means, oper. atively connected to said hand-operated means, adapted to control the brake. clutch, driving mechanism. tool slide, backslide. unit and main carriage on operation of said hand operated means. l a

10. In a lathe, work-supporting means having driving mechanism therefore; a clutch in the o having an operating member movable into locking and unlocking positions; `power means including a hydraulically actuated member for engaging and disengaglng said clutch; control means for said power means: and means responsive to operationot the operating member :for conditioning said control means to cause said power means to engage and disengage said clutch upon movement ot the operating member into and out oi' said locking positions.

cally actuated means, operatively intermediate the latter and said hydraulic system: means operatively connecting said control means and said locking means, forconditioning said control means to cause fluid from said hydraulic system to cause engagement and disengagement o1' said clutch upon movement of said operating member into and out oi.' said locking position; and pressure controlled means in said hydraulic system, operable upon engagement of said clutch.' for conditioning the hydraulic system to supply iluid imder pressure to said iirst. hydraulically actuated means.

14. In a lathe with a work holder having operative and inoperative positions, a movable tailstock quill having operable and inoperable workholding positions relative to said work holder',`

locking means for said quill. having locking and unlocking positions, driving mechanism. a clutch 05. in said driving mechanism,'tool slides and a main carriage, the combination of hydraulically actuated means for operating said tailstock quill, work holder, clutch, tool slides and main carriage: a

hydraulic system for supplying iluid under pres- 11. In a lathe, work-supporting means having sure to. said 'hydraulically actuated means: condrlving mechanism therefor: a brake in the driving mechanism; a tailstock quill movable into and out o! engagement with the work: locking means for the tailstock quill for locking the quill trol means for controlling the flow oi' duid from said system to movesaid tailstock quill to an operable work-holding position: pressure'controlled in workman? muon. md 10cm mm 75 mm in said system, operable upon movement4 of said quill to an operable work-holding'pcsition; for controlling nuid to work holder-actuating means; control means for said clutch-actuat- .ing means: means operatively connecting said last-named control means and said quill-locking means. operable to actuate said clutch upon lmovement of said locking means into and out oi said locking position; and pressure controlled means in said hydraulic system, operable upon engagement of said clutch, for conditioning said hydraulic system to supply iluid under pressure to said actuating means for said -tool slides and main carriage.

15. In a lathe, a headstock having a rotatable spindle provided with a work holding means; drive mechanism for said spindle a tailstock having a live-center-carrying quill movable into and out of operative position with respect to the work; hydraulic means for moving the quill and actuating the work holding means; and manually operable means for initiating operation of said hydraulic means, the arresting of the movementof said quill by engagement with the work building up a pressure in the hydraulic means and automatically actuating the work holding means.

16. In a lathe,a headstock having a rotatable spindle provided with a work holding means; drive'` mechanism for said spindle;

17. A lathe having a headstcck having a rotatable spindle provided with a work holding means,

drive mechanism for said spindle. a tailstock having a quill movable into and out of operative position with respect to the work, a carriage. and tool slides; hydraulic means for moving the quin and actuating thework holding means; manually operable means for controlling said hydraulic means; manually quill in position: second hydraulicmeans for sequentially actuating the drive mechanism, caroperable means for locking the riagc and tool slides; and means responsive to the actuation of the locking means for controlling the operation of the second hydraulic means..

18. In a lathe, a headstock having a rotatable Aspindle provided with a work holding means:

eration of the second hydraulic means for sequentially controlling the operation of the driving mechanism, carriage and tool slide.

19. In a lathe, a headstock having a rotatable spindle provided with a work holding means;

' drive mechanism for said spindle; a tailstock having a live-center-carrying quill-movable into and out of operative position with respect to the work; hydraulic means for sequentially moving the quill into work supporting position and actuating the work holding means; a carriage having a tool slide thereon, hydraulic means for operating the drive mechanism, carriage and tool slide through a predetermined cycle; manually operable means for initiating said first hydraulic means; manually operable means for locking the quill in position; means responsive to the actuation of the locking means for initiating operation of the second hydraulic means for sequentially controlling the operation of the driving mechanism, carriage and tool slide; and means for limiting movement of the carriage and tool slide and for reversing the operation thereof; said second hydraulic means including means for increasing the speed of the carriage and tool slide during return to normal position.

STANLEY W. SPARKS. EDMUND J. LOMAZZO. 

